31 Facts About Arthur Rostron

Sir Arthur Henry Rostron, KBE, RD was a British merchant seaman and a seagoing officer for the Cunard Line.

Arthur Rostron is best known as the captain of the ocean liner RMS Carpathia, when it rescued the survivors from the RMS Titanic after the ship sank in 1912 in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Arthur Rostron was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress, and in 1926, he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Arthur Rostron rose to become the Commodore of the Cunard fleet and retired in 1931.

Arthur Rostron was born at Bank Cottage, Sharples, a suburb of Bolton, Lancashire, England, to James and Nancy Rostron in 1869.

In 1884, Arthur Rostron joined the Merchant Navy Cadet School Ship HMS Conway as a cadet.

In 1887 Arthur Rostron joined the barque Red Gauntlet as a second mate.

Arthur Rostron was commissioned a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 28 April 1893.

In December 1894 Arthur Rostron served on board the steamship Concord after which he passed the examinations for his extra master's certificate.

On 14 September 1899 Arthur Rostron married Ethel Minnie Stothert, daughter of Richard Stothert, in St John the Baptist church Atherton.

Arthur Rostron was made first officer of RMS Lusitania in 1907, but was transferred to the Brescia and promoted to ship's captain the day before Lusitania's maiden voyage.

Arthur Rostron became captain of the passenger liner RMS Carpathia on 18 January 1912.

Arthur Rostron was promoted to commander in the RNR on 18 January 1912.

Only after ordering Carpathia "turned to", towards the disaster scene, did Arthur Rostron confirm with Cottam that the latter was sure about Titanics distress call.

Arthur Rostron highly praised his crew for their efficiency in his report to line management.

Arthur Rostron was a pious man: issuing orders, he often raised a hand to his cap and closed his eyes in prayer.

Later, Arthur Rostron testified at both the US Senate and the British Wreck Commissioner's inquiries into the sinking.

Arthur Rostron was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the Thanks of Congress, the American Cross of Honor, a medal from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, and a gold medal from the Shipwreck Society of New York.

Arthur Rostron was highly praised for his efforts in both the American and the British inquiries into the disaster.

Arthur Rostron continued in command of the Carpathia for a year before transferring to the RMS Caronia.

Arthur Rostron was captain of the RMS Alaunia when the First World War began and the ship was requisitioned as a troopship, which Arthur Rostron continued to command.

In September 1915, Arthur Rostron joined the RMS Mauretania and in April 1916 he joined the Ivernia in the Mediterranean Sea.

Arthur Rostron returned to Mauretania in 1917 before taking command of the Andania, Saxonia, Carmania and Mauretania again.

Arthur Rostron continued to command Mauretania after it returned to normal passenger service in June 1919.

Arthur Rostron took command of SS Imperator in July 1920.

From February to May 1924, he served as Royal Naval Reserve Aide-de-Camp to King George V Rostron retired from the Royal Naval Reserve in May 1924, and in July 1926 he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

In July 1926 Arthur Rostron again took command of Berengaria and became the Commodore of the Cunard fleet shortly after.

When his former ship, the Mauretania, sailed for Scotland to the shipbreakers in 1935, Arthur Rostron was supposed to have been on board; however, overcome with emotion, he refused to board her and instead waved farewell from the pierside, preferring to remember the ship as she was when he commanded her.

Arthur Rostron developed pneumonia and died at the Cottage Hospital, Chippenham, on 4 November 1940, aged 71.

Arthur Rostron was survived by his wife, Ethel Minnie, and their four children.

Arthur Rostron has been portrayed in various Titanic films by several actors.